Hoist by one's own petard definitions
| Word backwards | tsioh yb s'eno nwo dratep |
|---|---|
| Part of speech | The phrase "hoist by one's own petard" is an idiom, not a single word. The idiom is a verb phrase. |
| Syllabic division | hoist by one's own pe-tard |
| Plural | The plural of the phrase "hoist by one's own petard" is "hoist by one's own petards." |
| Total letters | 20 |
| Vogais (4) | o,i,e,a |
| Consonants (10) | h,s,t,b,y,n,w,p,r,d |
Hoist by one's own petard is a phrase that originates from Shakespeare's play, Hamlet. The term refers to being harmed or destroyed by one's own plot or device meant for another. Essentially, it means that someone's own actions or plans have backfired on them, causing them harm or difficulty.
Origin of the Phrase
The phrase "hoist by one's own petard" comes from a literal translation of Shakespeare's line from Hamlet, where the character Hamlet describes the consequences of a failed explosive device used against an enemy. A petard was a small bomb used in medieval warfare to breach gates and walls. If the bomb exploded prematurely, it would "hoist" or lift the engineer into the air instead of the intended target.
Meaning and Usage
Metaphorically, being "hoist by one's own petard" means that one's own actions or plans have ended up causing harm to oneself instead of others. It is a cautionary tale about the consequences of one's actions and the importance of considering all possible outcomes before taking drastic measures.
Examples in Literature
Aside from its famous usage in Hamlet, the phrase has appeared in other works of literature and has become a common idiom in the English language. It is often used to describe situations where someone's actions have led to their downfall or misfortune.
In conclusion, being "hoist by one's own petard" serves as a reminder that one should be cautious and thoughtful in their actions, as they may unwittingly bring harm upon themselves. It underscores the importance of considering the consequences of one's decisions and being aware of the possible repercussions of one's actions.
Hoist by one's own petard Examples
- After making fun of his coworker's presentation skills, he was hoisted by his own petard when he made a major mistake during his own speech.
- The politician's attempt to discredit his opponent backfired, and he was hoisted by his own petard when the truth about his own corruption was revealed.
- The CEO thought he could cut costs by outsourcing production, but he was hoisted by his own petard when the inferior quality of the products led to a drop in sales.
- The gossip columnist found herself hoisted by her own petard when a leaked video exposed her own scandalous behavior.
- The student who always cheated on exams was hoisted by his own petard when he was caught plagiarizing his final paper.
- The criminal mastermind's plan to frame his rival went awry, and he was hoisted by his own petard when the evidence pointed back to him.
- The social media influencer's attempt to stir up controversy for attention backfired, and she was hoisted by her own petard when her followers turned against her.
- The entrepreneur's shady business practices caught up with him, and he was hoisted by his own petard when his companies went bankrupt.
- The professional athlete who used performance-enhancing drugs was hoisted by his own petard when he failed a drug test before a major competition.
- The celebrity who constantly criticized others for their behavior was hoisted by her own petard when scandalous photos of her surface online.